Light signal and projector



June 24, 1930. J. c. MocK LIGHT SIGNAL AND PROJECTOR 3 Sheets-Sheat l Filed may 21, 1928 ATT June 24, 1930. J, c. MocK,

LIGHT SIGNAL AND PROJCTOR Filed May 21r 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Fig 7 a RNEY.

June 24, 1930. J. C. MOCK Y 1,765,689

LIGHT SIGNAL AND PROJECTOR Filed May 21, 1928 3 sheets-Sheet 3 Iig/ INVENTOR.

QZ Ag ORNEY.

Patented June 24, 1930 oFFlcE JAMES c. Moen, or DETROIT, Miei-ricain LIGHT SIGNAL AND PROJECTOR Application yfiled May 21,

This invention relates to light signals of a type commonly used by railroads and also embodies features and improvements applying to light projectors in general. Some of its objects are to provide; a signal in which the source of illumination is stationary while the housing carrying the colored roundels is moved with respect to the stationary source of illumination vto give the indication desired; a signal whose indications are changed by the mechanical movement of certain parts while the source of light remains stationary; a signal in which a stationary inner stem supports the light while amovable outer stem rotates the housing to vary the signal indication; a signal in which the housing and its support may be removed from the lamp support; a projecting device having av pair of lensesmounted for adjustment in azimuth with the source of illumination as a centre and a 'projecting device having a pair of lenses mounted for adjustment horizontally through anangle with the source of .illumination as a centre. Other objects of the invention will appear from the detailed description in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which7 Fig. 1 is an elevation of a signal device shown partly in section7 embodying my invention, Fig. 2. is a sectional detail of the base of the signal device, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the operating crank with the outer stem sectioned, Fig. 4 is a detail of the spider supporting the optical arrangement, Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mechanismV housing with the top removed; Fig. y6 is a sectional elevation showing the construction yat the head of the inner stem, Fig. 7 shows A one form of railway switch target to which my inventionr is applied, -Figi-8 is an arrangementcorresponding to Fig. 7 with theV vhousing sectioned to show the interior construction, Fig. 9 is a modified signalwith the housing partly sectioned embodyingmy 1nvention and Fig. 10 shows the details of a focusing device; used with Fig. 9. f

Signals giving their indication `by the display of a beam of colored light are in common use on railways. popular signal of this type moves a colored roundel 1n front 19253. Serial No. 279,536.

of the projecting lens to give the indication required. Dwarf signals of this type are used which are mechanically connected by a pipe line with a switch stand or the switch point rails; the signal changing its indication by rotating through 90O to bring a different face of the signal into view. Signals of the latter type are, in practice, subject to a great deal of vibration and jar in their ordinary operation and one of the purposes of this invention is to eliminate this vibration and to provide a stationary mounting for the light source and lenses so that these signals may be electrically lighted without subjecting the light bulb to vibration and without twisting the conductors connected to this light bulb.k One construction used to secure this result shown in the drawings comprises a stationary inner stem upon which the lamp bulb and projecting lenses are mounted while an outer stem, free to rotate about the innerstem, carries the housingy and the colored roundels so that the outer shell is rotated about the stationary light to give the indication desired.

Light signals of the type referred to, when applied to turn out switches, usually give indications in opposite directions and it is ydesirable to be able to adjust these indications horizontally so that they can be directed in the line of deflecting track. To secure this end a pair of brackets are sup-l ported on a vertical pivot'on the inner stem and are rotatable on this pivot. brackets carry the projecting lenses so that these lenses can be adjustably positioned horizontally to vdirect the beam of light as desired. Y Y. `Light signals ofthe dwarf type are usually located close to theground and it is .de-gV A sirabletoI project the light beam from them with an upward inclinationso thatthcy may be more readily seen. For this purpose the positions of the projecting ylenses are adjust-y able in azimuth to the angles desired.

The light bulb is, preferably; of the concentrated filament type so that thev lightis i yconcentratedin a point and the greatest efiikciency is obtained when this point corresponds with thev foci of the projecting lenses.

These ico justment already established.

' with a collai 15.

The bulb is mounted on an adjusting stand so that it may be located at the common focal point of the pair of lenses. The lenses are mounted on arms pivotally connected to the brackets and so arranged that this pivot point is in the horizontal plane of the focal point of the lenses, while the axis of the vertical pivot ot the brackets passes through the focal point in the vertical plane. This enables the adjustments in the horizontal and the adjustments in azimuth of the lenses to bemade without disturbing the focal ad- A sighting device may be used to locate the ilament preferably carried by the lens support and bearing upon the feci of the lenses.

Referring to thedrawings, 11 isthe base of the signal which is secured to a suitable foundation', 12 is the inner tubular stein Awhich is suitably lfastened to the base and an Aaperture at 13 in the base enables the electric conductors to be led into the inner stem. he stem 12 is supported Vby the sleeve 14 which is rigidly secured to or integral with the base and which is provided The outer stem 16 is tubular in formation and rests upon the base 11 Vat 23v and is tree to rotate on the base.

The stem 16 opposite sleeve 14 is cut away 'to a halt cylinder as indicated atl 17, Fig. 1. The semi-circular clamping strap 19 is secured to this hal'fcylinde'r as indicated at 18, Fig. Sand the crank member 20 is secured to 19 by the bolts 21'. he crank member is formed in a semi-circle of a radius which its the sleeve 14 below the collar 15 so that this member engages the collar and prevents the outer stem from being raised when the crank is'in place. The operating rod is connected to the era-nk 22 termed integral with 2O and through the` movement ot' this crank and the strap 19, the outer stem is rotated in accordance with the crank movement.V By removing thel crank and optical apparatus the outer stein and` housing can be lifted over the inner stem.

The top of the inner stein 12 is provided with a spider 25 as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. This spider has a stem 27 centered on the of the tube and provided with an aper-V ture 26 through which the conductors may be passed. This stem is threaded on its upper end to receive the nuts 28 which clamp the brackets 29 and 30 supporting the optical apparatus to the Vspider 25; these brackets are thus pivotally mounted onthe axis of tube 12, that is on the vertical centre of the signal.

The bracket 29 is provided with the dia- V*metrica-hy opposed'upstanding'arms 31 and construction is provided on bracketri() having the vertical arm 39 and the horizontal arm 41 pivoted to it at 42 and the opposite arm 43 pivoted to the vertical arm 40 at 44. The arms 41-43 carry the lens ring 45 supporting the lens 46. The vertical position of lens 3S is adjusted on the pivots 34-36 bythe screuT 49 in the projection 4S'on arm 33, engaging the stop 47 formed integral with 31. The screw 50 correspondingly adjusts the Vertical position of lens 46.

The intersection vof the lines @-00,5 lJ-; and 0 0 is the focal point of the lenses 38 and 46; these lenses being adjusted in their mountings by gaskets so' that their local point is accurately located at the intersection of these lines. It will be noted that the pivots 34, 36, 42 and 44 fall on the line b-b and that the brackets 29-30 rotate about the line c-c. `he upper bracket 3() may be provided with slots 51 through which it may be secured to the lower bracket by the screws 52; these brackets are also clamped by the nuts 28 to the stem 27 to lock them in position after they have been adjusted. It is apparent that the lenses 38-46 may be rotated through a vertical angle andv they may also be rotated horizontally on pivot 27 without changing their focal point from the intersection of lines i4-e., b-b and 'c-c; thus the light beams projected from thesev lenses may be dellected as desiredV Without disturbing the foci of the lenses.

The light bulb 58 is adjustably supported by a supporting bracket'. constructed simi-V larly to that shown in U. S. Patent 1,535,218

issued April 28, 1925. The socket 57 is se cured to the bracket 53 which is mounted on three posts 54, 55 and 56 and is adjusted by the nuts against the springs on these posts. This adjustment'eiiables the filament of the lamp bulb to be located with accuracy at the intersection of lines afa, Zi-"O and @-0, that is ,at the focal point of the projecting lenses 38-46. For the purpose of readily locating the bulb filament at the focal point,

the sighting device 97 may be used torvthis purpose. This comprises a sighting tube similar to that shown in application for U. S. Patent Serial No. 174,365,1iled March 10, 1927. The inner vertical arms Y39-40 terminate in horizontal pads 98, Fig. 5, which support the bridge piece 99, carrying the sighting tube 97. Thisbridge piece is located accurately by dowels on 99 so as Ato centre thesighting tube on line 0-0 whereby the position of the filament maybe adjusted to the` focal point ofv the lenses 38-46. The Ybridge piece is Vremovable as its use is necessary only when adjusting the position of the filaments. Y The housing 61 is formed withV a socket 62 which is secured at 63 to the outer stem 16 and rotates wi th this stem. The housing isV provided with a cover 64 and withxtargets 6.5, 66,V 67 vand Gron :the-'four sides ofthe housing. Each target is provided witha colored roundel 69'w`hich may be a flat or curved vdisc of'k glass located oppositey theY projecting lens. It is apparent that when the lstem is rotated through' 90 a new set of colored roundels are brought opposite the lenses and a `new indication is therefore displa ed. y y

In't ie signal described the stationary'support for the light passes through the stem supporting kthe housing.v In other types it may be necessary tov brin/gv the stationary support into the housingl at some other point,

74 in the socket 75 and is rotated as the lever y 73 is operated. The support 76 is bolted to the switch stand and has depending from it on the vertical line of the supporting stem 74, the stem 77 and the bell 7 8. This stem carries the bracket 80 with the lens supporting arms 81-82 in front of the roundels thus making a fixed support for the light bulb and lenses in the housing 83 which is rotated by the stem 74 yproducing results corresponding to Fig. 1. A parabolic refiector may be provided for the lenses as indicated at 101 Fig. 1, the space 102 between the refiectors being wide enough to permitv adjustment of the horizontal arms.

The signal in Fig. 9 provides for the horilens 46 and the plate 29 through frame 91 carries the opposing lens 38. The sight ofV the lamp filament can be seen through the roundel 69 from the outside.

The structure described provides a lightsignal in which the source.l of light and the Llenses are stationary while the indications are changed by rotating the housing of the signal, also it provides an optical system inwhich lenses are adjusted with relation to a` fixed source of light in azimuth and in the horizontal without changing their focal relationto the light source. Y It should be under-V stood that! variationsL in the construction shown may be made without affecting the.

essential features of the invention.

claim: V y i y 1. Ina signal as described, the combination, a stationary support-,a source of light Havingl thus described-my invention, I

and a plurality of projectinglenses carried by said support, a housing for said source and lenses, said housing having colored roundels aligning with said lenses and means for rotating said housing.

2.1'In a signal as described, the combina-Y tion, a stationary support, a sourceof light and a projecti-nglens carried by said support, a housing for said source and lens, said housing havingroundels aligningswith said lens and angularly disposedninety degrees from.`

each other and means for rotating said housing about said light source as a centre.

The

In a signal as described, the combination, a vcentral fixed stem supporting alamp bulb, a housing for y said stem having roundels aligning with said bulb, a tubular support for said housing 'enclosing saidfixed stem, means on said `fixed stem for holding said' tubular, support in place and afcrank ysecured to said'tubular support for rotate" ing said housing.. v

4.`In a signal as described, the combination, a central fixed stem supporting a lamp bulb,l av housingv for said ystern havin y roundels aligning with said bulb, a tubular support for said housing substantially enclosing said fixed stem, a crank secured to said tubular support for rotating said housing'and a collar on said xed by said-crank. Y

l5. In a signal as described, kthe combination, a central fixed stem supporting a lamp bulb, a housingr for said stem having `roundels aligning with said bulb, a support for said housing, a crank secured to said support for rotating said housing and means co-operatively engaging said crank with said fixed stem to hold said housing in place.

6. In a signal as described, the combina-l tion, a central fixed stem supporting a lamp bulb, a housing for saidl stem having roundels aligning with said; bulb,'a tubular support forsaid housing enclosing said fixed stem and having an aperture therein to expose part of said iixed stem, a collar on said fixed 'stem opposite the aperture inl `said tubular support and an operati-ng crank secured-to lsaid tub'ularsupport and engaging 'saidcollan f i 7. Inv a'signal as described, the combination, a central-fixed stemfterminating in an =axial1 pivot,"a bracket pivotally securedto said `stem supporting a lensY and aflamp bulb, afhousing for saidbulb free from said stemand having roundelsaligning with .said lens and means` for rotatablyk supportlng said housing. Y" i l tion, a central fixed stem terminating in an 8. In a signal, `,as described, the combina-m,

axial pivot, aplurality of brackets pivotally secured to said stem, a lamp bulb supported by said stem, a housing for said bulbV free from saidstem and having roundels aligning with said brackets'and'means for rotatably supporting said housing. Y

9. In aV signal as described, thev combination, a centralfixed stem terminating incan aXial pivot, a plurality of ,pairs of brackets pivotally secured to said stem, a lens pivotally secured to each pair of brackets and a source of illumination located at the` focal point of said lenses. v v

10. In a projecting device, the combination, avfikxed vertical pivot, a plurality of bracketsi-pivotally secured to saidvertical pivot, horizontal ,arms pivotally secured to each of said brackets, and a lens supported by each pair of said arms, saidlenseshaving Y a common focal' point.

11. Ina projecting device, the combination, a fixed vertical pivot, a plurality of brackets pivo'tally secured to said vertical pivot, a lens pivotally mounted on eachY of ksaid brackets adjustable in azimuth, each of said lenses having a common focalpoint.v

12. In a projecting device, the combination, a iXedvert-ical pivot, a plurality of of said bracketsfand means for adjustingy said lenses in azimuth,

kas

a said focal point and. means for adjusting brackets pivotally secured to said vertical pivot, means for clamping Asaid brackets in position, a lens pivotally' mounted on each Y 13. In a projecting device, a plurality of lenses having a common focal point, means for adjusting saidr lenses horizontally about said lenses in azimuth about said focal point.

14. In arprojectingY device, a plurality of.'

lenses having a common focall point and means for adjusting each vof said lenses independently in azimuth about said focal point. f n Y A t 15. In a projecting device, a plurality `of lenses having a common focal point and pivoted members supporting, each of said brackets mounted on said vertical pivot, a lens and a reflector mounted on each of said` brackets, said lenses havingv a common focal point and a source .of illumination located at said focal point. j

19. In a projecting device, the combination, a vertical pivot, a pluralityy of brackets rotatably mounted on said pivot, a lens mounted on eachvof said br'acketsadjustable comprising means for rotating saidY lenses .about said common focal point and means for independently Ldjusting `said lenses in n azimuth. j l

In testimony whereof I ailiX my signature. Y

Y JAMES C.`MOCK.

lenses, said pivots being located in the `plane n y Y of said focal point; A Y. Y

16. Ina projecting device,` the combina-V tion, a plurality of lenses having a common.

focal point, a pivoted member supporting.,V

each of saidl lenses, said pivot being located l' in the plane of said focal point and a source of illumination located at said focal point.

V17.` In a projecting device, the' combination, a vertical pivot having ahollovv stem, a bracket rotatably mounted on said stem, a lens mounted on saidbracket having its focal point on the axialk line of said pivot, a lam said for said bulb ledl through thehollow stem of said pivot.

bulbhaving its filament located'atv Vocalpoint and electrical conductors i18, In a projecting device, thercombination, a fixedl vertical f,pivo't,a pluralityof 

